| Travelling around by car – in the daytime at least – is hardly worth it because of the difficulty of finding parking spaces. You're better off finding a motel-style place on the edge of the city and using public transport. But if you're determined to use the pay-and-display parking system you must first buy a Paris Carte from a tabac, then look for the blue "P" signs alongside grey parking meters. Introduce the card into the meter – it costs €1.60 an hour, for a maximum of two hours. Covered car parks cost up to €2.30 per hour. Whatever you do, don't park in a bus lane or the Axe Rouge express routes (marked with a red square). Should you be towed away, you'll find your car in the pound (fourrière) belonging to that particular arrondissement – check with the local mairie for the address. The French drive on the right and if your car is right-hand drive, you must have your headlight dip adjusted to the right before you go – it's a legal requirement – and as a courtesy, change or paint them to yellow or stick on black glare deflectors. Remember also that you have to be 18 years of age to drive in France, regardless of whether you hold a licence in your own country. In the event of a breakdown, call SOS Dépannage (tel 01.47.07.99.99) for round-the-clock assistance. Alternatively, ask the police.
Pages in section ‘Driving and parking’: Car rental.
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